Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon 2014

[DrinkSpirits]

Just landed on our desk, so we thought we'd get a review right up.

Some facts:

- 9-10 years old

- Top Floor Rickhouse Y

- 86.6 Proof

- $26.99!!!

Here's the conclusion from our Evan Williams Single Barrel Review:

In an age of significant price creep on premium and limited American whiskey releases, it’s mind-blowing that Heaven Hill has priced Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage at $26.99. At this price, it’s simply one of the biggest bangs for your buck that you’ll find in American whiskey. Aside from the ridiculously low price, we really love the way that Evan Williams Single Barrel manages to deliver bold flavors without losing its balance. While we love the premium bourbon category, distillers can often be a little heavy handed with their bold flavors. Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage has finesse, elegance and precision that you just don’t find with other whiskeys in this class. Put simply, this is great whiskey being sold at a fraction of the price that almost any other company would sell it at.

[biskuit]

interesting note in the press release…“We try to achieve a particular taste or flavor profile with every year’s vintage of Evan Williams Single Barrel, and then we select barrels that fit with that profile. For this 2004 vintage, we went with a character that is maybe a bit more assertive and bold than in years past, as consumer tastes seem to be leaning more toward robust whiskeys. We therefore have selected barrels that sit a bit higher up in the warehouses where the temperature gradients over the 9 or 10 years of aging were a bit more extreme.â€

[jwacky]

interesting note in the press release…“We try to achieve a particular taste or flavor profile with every year’s vintage of Evan Williams Single Barrel, and then we select barrels that fit with that profile. For this 2004 vintage, we went with a character that is maybe a bit more assertive and bold than in years past, as consumer tastes seem to be leaning more toward robust whiskeys. We therefore have selected barrels that sit a bit higher up in the warehouses where the temperature gradients over the 9 or 10 years of aging were a bit more extreme.â€

This certainly sounds intriguing. I've always liked the EWSB line but have often found them just the slightest bit lacking in 'oomph', always being just the slightest bit short of 'greatness' to my palate. Still, it has always been a tremendous value.

I'm eager for the 2003s to clear out around here so we can move on the the 2004s!

[dSculptor]

Just found a couple of 2002 vintages and had some left in my 2003 so as I am typing this I am doing a side by side - The noses of the 2 are almost identical, but the taste.. hmmm let me try that again .. here is the 2003.. I want to say a bit flat,dry,(maybe cause it's been open for awhile and is near the bottom, now for the 2002.... mmmm creamy, a touch of vanilla in there,a bit more kick fresher I guess,you could for sure pick out what is what blindfolded. I like the 2002 very much..they were actually a bit dusty grabbed 2 of the three.

[MyOldKyDram]

Picked one up today. Prob crack it open tonight. Looking forward to it!

[flahute]

We still have 2002's in these parts. I like it a lot - had some last night. It sometimes comes off with too much char smoke, but last night it was balanced and wonderful.

I do like the sound of the 2004.

[TunnelTiger]

Just found a couple of 2002 vintages and had some left in my 2003 so as I am typing this I am doing a side by side - The noses of the 2 are almost identical, but the taste.. hmmm let me try that again .. here is the 2003.. I want to say a bit flat,dry,(maybe cause it's been open for awhile and is near the bottom, now for the 2002.... mmmm creamy, a touch of vanilla in there,a bit more kick fresher I guess,you could for sure pick out what is what blindfolded. I like the 2002 very much..they were actually a bit dusty grabbed 2 of the three.

Totally agree, I'm still able to get 2002 at two stores and until they are gone I'll pass on the 2004. One bottle of 2003 was plenty.

[MyOldKyDram]

Tried the 04 last night and didn't love it. Found it to be tinny and bitter. Single barrel caveat applies, ymmv. I'll have another go at it soon and come up w some actual notes.

[tanstaafl2]

interesting note in the press release…“We try to achieve a particular taste or flavor profile with every year’s vintage of Evan Williams Single Barrel, and then we select barrels that fit with that profile. For this 2004 vintage, we went with a character that is maybe a bit more assertive and bold than in years past, as consumer tastes seem to be leaning more toward robust whiskeys. We therefore have selected barrels that sit a bit higher up in the warehouses where the temperature gradients over the 9 or 10 years of aging were a bit more extreme.”

[biskuit]

Heaven Hill is not lacking for bourbon stock, and they historically do try to give some of the best barrels to EWSB (though PH probably took the best of the best this past year).

[Clavius]

Looking forward to trying the 2004. I really enjoyed the 2001 and 2003 releases.

[squire]

I think what they're saying is, "we've got a boat load of barrels here so thought we'd toss out this profile".

[Creggor]

Today I picked up a bottle of EWSB 2004.. I am having a pour of the 2003 as I type this.. For my $$$ EWSB is a very good every day Bourbon.. It is one of my favorites for the Price.. I remember many years ago really like the 2000 and 2001 SB.. The price was $21.99 Great value..

Edited January 17, 2014 by Creggor
Price added

[BigBoldBully]

Today I picked up a bottle of EWSB 2004.. I am having a pour of the 2003 as I type this.. For my $$$ EWSB is a very good every day Bourbon.. It is one of my favorites for the Price.. I remember many years ago really like the 2000 and 2001 SB.. The price was $21.99 Great value..

Creggor as to the old ones are you referring to the EWSB bottled in those years (so distilled around the start of the 90s)? If so I would be interested to hear about your recollection compared to your experience of the current offerings.

[black mamba]

I've got a couple '02s waiting for a SBS, one a standard release 10 yr, 7 mo. and the other a store barrel select 10 yr, 1 mo. The spirits manager at the store said the barrel they selected was "huge," so it should be a good comparo of the two, hopefully different, profiles.

[jaycamm]

I'm all for bold.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[petrel800]

I always look forward to this release. Can't say I have ever not enjoyed a bottle. Some more complex than others, but some of the ones I've had were just damn super drinkable (almost to the point where they're dangerous for pulling you back for one more pour). Also a good one to have around in the summer at 86 proof.

[BFerguson]

Tried the 04 last night and didn't love it. Found it to be tinny and bitter. Single barrel caveat applies, ymmv. I'll have another go at it soon and come up w some actual notes.

[Forkmann]

Last night I did a side by side by side with an '02 store pick, barrel #7 of '04, and last year's PHC...which after all is basically just a really, really nice EWSB. It was good to confirm that the PHC was the best! The mouth feel and that long finish set it apart for sure but it's obvious all 3 are related. I preferred the '04 to the '02 slightly. I agree with the referenced review in the OP that there is a pecan thing going on and it's definitely "bolder" if that's what they were going for. The '02 I have is more like what B said above...nothing complex but very easy drinking.

[hn4bourbon]

I passed on these a couple times recently. These are on the shelves at several places in town. I can't decide whether to grab one or not. I have tried 97, 98, 00, 01, 02, and 03. I haven't really enjoyed any of those.

[bourbonfoot]

I picked this up today while I was out, based on the "bolder flavor profile" comment from HH. I didn't pick that up at all. This is definitely an EWSB through and through. I did a SBS with the 2003 (12 yr) and a 2002 store pick. In order I liked the 2002, 2004, then 2003, but the 2002 and 2004 was close enough to be a toss up. Very easy drinking and typical of the EWSB line IMO. Still, this is a bourbon that just doesn't fit my taste overall. I very much prefer EC12 and don't see a reason to ever buy this over that. I was really hoping the "bolder" profile might make this stand out a bit.

[Thig]

I bought this today because I liked the 2003. Maybe the 2004 needs a little more air time but I think the 2003 is slightly better at this point. Will know more in a few days.

Edited January 19, 2014 by Thig

[Brisko]

Picked one up today (barrel 67) and I like it a lot. Typical EWSB profile except more leathery, more menthol, and a really strong, long finish. I've only had '00, '01, and '03 but this one has a much better finish than those. Could mistake it for ETL in a line-up.

[biskuit]

One week in on this bottle (barrel #1) and not feeling it, at least not yet. I did a side by side with a newly opened bottle of the 2000 (which I stocked up on a few yrs back because I liked it so much) AND the PHC Promise of Hope. Let's just say that you definitely get the family resemblance, but the PHC is the most attractive and complex of the bunch, then the 2000, then the 2004 which is, well, the least attractive. The 2004 has a bit of a sawdusty character, and as it sat I started to pick up some unpleasant acetone/rubbery notes like you sometimes get in German rieslings. By the way, I much preferred both the 2000 and the 2004 with a cube of ice vs. neat - the ice brings out a nice fruitiness in the them, as well as more baking spice and caramel/butterscotch. Also interesting to note that the PHC was the darkest in color of the three, followed by the 2000, then the 2004 being the lightest in color.

[weller_tex]

When I first got into bourbon I bought into the EWSB hype..then I realized how little flavor there was compared to other bourbons. It always tastes like weak tea and apple juice to me. I think EC12 is better..and Old Ezra 7/101 is far more enjoyable (it's HH juice by all accounts).

I agree the $26 price point is nice but I can get FRSmB everyday at that price. Maybe if HH would charge $32-$33 and up it to 90-95 proof..